The hosts of the Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Georgia, and Nick, recap Episode 34: What’s in That Rain? featuring guest author Christopher Hawkins who discussed his novel ‘Downpour’ about destructive rain. They delve into various types of dangerous rain, both real and fictional, including acid rain, radioactive rain, and flesh-eating rain. The team also explores unique weather terminology like 'mizzle', 'mist', and 'fog', and references to rain in popular culture such as the movie 'Bow Finger'. They chat about their experiences with shows like 'Pantheon' and a Netflix series set in Argentina. Upcoming events like the Maifest (May 10) in Blue Island, IL, and exciting future podcast episodes are also mentioned.
And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe and Christopher Hawkins!
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Future Episodes & Events:
•Next Episode: Strange Plants (Guest Molly owner of Plant and the Piper)
•Save the date: Maifest (May 10) in Blue Island, IL – join us for live recordings!
Shownotes:
Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:
Learn more about Christopher Hawkins
Christopher’s Books discussed on episode:
Mary comment: bowfinger scene about Chubby rain
Netflix show: The Eternaut
Science & Fiction Connections in Episode:
Downpour by Christopher Hawkins
Fiction: Flesh-eating, transformational rain with mysterious origins.
Science Tie-In: Discusses how extreme acid rain or unknown pathogens could hypothetically alter biology or ecosystems.
Acid, Radioactive & Microplastic Rain
Fictional Framing: Rain that corrodes skin, spreads illness, or transforms people.
Real-World Science: Acid rain from sulfur/nitrogen oxides, black rain from nuclear fallout (e.g., Chernobyl), and studies detecting microplastics in rain globally.
The Eternaut (Netflix, originally 1957-59 comic)
Fiction: Deadly snowfall that kills on contact—part of an alien invasion.
Science Tie-In: Echoes questions about whether precipitation could carry biological weapons or infectious agents, especially in colder climates.
Weather Terms: Mizzle, Mist, Fog
Fictional Utility: Language often used in horror/suspense to create atmosphere.
Scientific Basis: Defined distinctions between mist (suspended droplets), fog (dense near-ground vapor), and mizzle (fine drizzle) reflect microclimate variability.
Bowfinger’s “Chubby Rain” Scene
Fiction: Satirical claim that aliens arrive in rain droplets, thickening the rain.
Science Angle: Exaggerated but thematically aligned with speculative bio-invasion via atmospheric particles or alien microbes (e.g., red rain in Kerala).
Rain as a Medium for Invasion or Mutation
Recurring Trope: Dangerous weather as a delivery system for transformation, invasion, or apocalypse.
Scientific Echo: Real-world fear of rain carrying pollutants, pathogens, or fallout makes this trope scientifically plausible in concept, if not execution.
Artwork by X.Austin
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